With the 32nd pick of the Blogging the bEast mock draft, the Baltimore Ravens select Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas St.

Little-known Ravens ILB Ray Lewis retired this offseason after a very solid, yet under-publicized career in Baltimore. The Ravens also lost talented, up-and-coming ILB Dannell Ellerbe in free agency to the Dolphins. That left them with Jameel McClain, and not much else.

Then the Raiders waived talented yet troubled Rolando McClain, who had a long history of baggage:

In January of 2011, McClain pointed a gun at somebody and fired it next to his head. He was convicted of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, menacing, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail for each offense, totaling 180 days. The charges were eventually dropped when the victim opted to stop pursuing prosecution.

He was suspended for two games in November 2012 for reportedly getting into a verbal argument with head coach Dennis Allen. Details on the nature of the argument are murky, but it was serious enough for Allen to suspend a starter for two games.

In January of 2013, McClain was issued a ticket, which he reportedly signed “F*** Y’all” instead of his name. He was arrested for providing a fake name to police.

The Ravens took a chance and signed McClain, hoping that their Championship locker room could have a positive affect on him. Welp… So much for that. Before McClain even had a chance to get going in Baltimore, he was arrested yet again a few days ago. To be determined if this latest arrest will affect his future with the Ravens.

The McClain signing was never a reason for the Ravens not to draft a LB in the first place, but the fact that they did sign him was a clear indication that they knew they needed help there, if it wasn’t obvious enough.

Arthur Brown is probably the best ILB in this draft class, but the biggest concern is his size. McClain, for example, goes roughly 6’4, 260. That is prototype size for an ILB. Brown goes 6’0, 241, which is not ideal, although it’s not like he’s Brian Rolle at 5’10, 229.

Last year, the Buccaneers took Lavonte David with the 58th overall pick. David is 6’1, 233. The Seahawks drafted Bobby Wagner with the 47th overall pick. Wagner is 6’0, 241, the same exact measurements as Brown. Both players were in the top 10 in the NFL in tackles last season: